Oct. 9, 1999

CHICAGO - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee volleyball team remained undefeated in conference play after handing Loyola Chicago their first conference loss of the season, downing the Ramblers today, 3-1, at LUC?s Alumni Gym. The Panthers up their overall record to 15-1 and their conference record to a perfect, 4-0, while the Ramblers drop to 10-5 overall and 3-1 in the MCC. UWM remains the only undefeated MCC team in conference play.

In the first of two match-ups this season for these conference rivals, the teams remained neck-and-neck throughout the first game before the Panthers pulled off the win, 16-14, after four match points. Game two started off with the two teams even again, before Loyola took control and a nine-point lead. The Panthers battled back to bring it within five, but weren?t able to keep their momentum, dropping the game, 9-15. But UWM owned the third game, downing LUC, 15-5, while hitting .226 as a team compared to LUC?s .000 hitting percentage. The Panthers dominated the Ramblers early in the fourth game, taking an early 8-0 lead. But the Ramblers came back to even the score to 8-8 before the Panthers were able to take the final game, 15-10.

Sophomore Chrissy Schurla led the Panthers with 20 kills and a solid .545 hitting percentage, followed by sophomore Laura Dallenbach and senior Sue Raschka who each had 13 kills. Dallenbach added a team-high 17 digs on defense while Raschka added 15 digs.

In UWM?s other conference match last night, the Panthers defeated UIC last night, 15-6, 15-0, 15-9. The Panthers return home for a match-up against the United States Professional Volleyball team on Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m.

##UWM##